MALINDO Air will commence daily flights on the Kuala Lumpur-Dhaka route on August 28, marking its first international service.

Malindo Air CEO, Chandran Rama Muthy, said the LCC intends to keep rates within the RM300-500 (US$92-153) bracket for one-way bookings made at least two weeks prior to departure.

Other airlines plying the route include Malaysia Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Regent Airways and United Airways.

The lower fares have been a boon for Malaysian travel consultants.

Tina Travel & Agencies managing director, Adam Kamal, said: “We’re now developing packages to Bangladesh using Malindo Air as earlier airfares (on other airlines) were not so attractive for packaging, and return airfares used to average about RM1,400.”

He added that Malindo had an edge over its competitors as it gave each passenger 35kg in baggage allowance, more than what others were offering.

“With Malindo’s competitive rates, we are able to offer packages with rates on a par with other ASEAN destinations such as Bali, Manila and Myanmar. Bangladesh is also a new holiday destination for many Malaysians who are more familiar with India and Sri Lanka. It has many attractions to offer,” commented Kamal.

Similarly, Grandlotus Travel Agencies managing director, K Thangavelu, said: “Due to Malindo Air’s reasonable fares, we will create packages combining Bangladesh with north-east India, and Bangladesh with Nepal. As a mono-destination, Bangladesh may not be that attractive to Malaysians.”